Engine-stopping device



w. F. WEBB. ENGINE'STOPPING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FII ED APR. 5, 1920- PatentedAllg. 16, 1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

' W. F. WEBIB.

' ENGINE STOPPING DEVICE- APPLICATION FILED APR. 5. 1920.

' Patented Aug. 16, 1921'. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 awvewtoz 20mm wa Hui 6130mm UNITED STATES PATENT orrlca.

WILLIAM F. WEBB, OI GARDEN CITY, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 ELBERT A.

0BR, 01 GARDEN CITY, KANSAS.

ENGINE-STOPPING mzv'rcr.

To all whom it may conoem:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. WEBB, a citizen of the United States, residing at Garden City, in the county of Finney and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Engine-Stop ping Devices; and I do declare the following to be full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art towhich it appertains to make and use the same.

My-invention relates to automatic stopping devices for automobiles and other engines and more particularly to a pressurecontrolled device for 'cuttin off the current to the spark plugs in case t e oil in the lubricating system recedes a dangerous amount below normal.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an extremely simple and inexpensive, yet a reliable device for roducing the required results, and one whic may be eas ily installed in connection with numerous types of engines.

Another object is to make novel provision for manually setting the device in enginerunning position, this being necessary for starting since when the engine is standing idle, the oil pressure is not up to normal and consequently the invention then stands in engine-stopping position. This manual setting may also be used if it is necessary to continue running the engine after it has automatically stopped.

With the foregoing and minor objects in view, the invention resides in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, the descriptive matter being supplemented by the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the application of m invention to a battery ignition system for lnternal combustion engines.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the controlling switch and its operating means.

Figs. 3 and4 are respectivel vertical and horizontal sections as indicate by lines 33 and 4-4 of Fig. 2. i

Fig. 5 is a detail elevation showing more particularly the key which-is used when.

Specification of Letters fatent.

Application filed. April 5,

1920. Serial I0. 371,340.

manually setting the device in engine-runmng position.

On Sheet of the drawings, I have shown the application of my invention to a well known form of battery i 'tion for an internal combustion engine This ignition system includes the usual timer T, coil C, vibrator V, distributer D, battery .13, and switch S. As usual in systems of this character, the prlmarat circuit passes through the vlbrator V, coil and timer T and then returns to the battery, while the secondary or high tension current travels-to the distributer D, fromsuch distributer to the spark plugs, across the spark gap to the ground and returns from such ground to the battery. I have shown my improved engine stopping device included in the primary circuit an so arranged as to break this circuit when the pressure of oil in the oil line 0 diminishes to a dangerous degree. The .oil is pumped from the usual crank case or reser: voir through the oil line by means of an appropriate pump 1?, and in order to prevent pulsation of the oil during its travel through the line 0, which pulsation would interfere with proper operation of the engine stop;

ping device, I. provide an air chamber which is incommunication with the oil line. Incorporated in the primary circuit of the ignition system are relatively movable and fixed switch members 1 and 2, such members being cooperable in forming a switch for Patented Aug. 16, 1921.

either placing the ignition system in condition for running the motor or for stopping the same. In the present showing, the two members 1 and 2 normally complete the circuit and they areheld in contact by means of a stem 3 actuated by a diaphragm 4 located in an appropriate casing 5, said casing being in communication with the oil line 0. As lon as the engine E is operated and the pump is supplying the required quantity of oil through the line 0, the pressure of such oil agamst the diaphragm 4 will cause the stem 3 to hold the movable switch member 1 in operative contact with the relatively 'fixed member 2. The moment the oil supply is fully exhausted however, as to cause the pump P to suppg 7 through the line pressure in the casing 5 decreases, with'the result that the stem 3 an inadequate quantity moves inwardly and allows the movable switch member 1 to recede from the member 2. The primary circuit of the" ignition system is thus broken with the result that.

parts 1 to 6 in diagram m order to illustrate their proper relation with the battery ignltion system of an internal combustion engine, while on Sheet 2 of the drawings the detailed construction of the several features is fully illustrated. Consequently, in the following description, reference is made to Sheet 2 only.

For supporting the parts 1 to 6, I employ an appropriate plate 7 having several arms 8 extending in the same direction therefrom, the outer ends of these arms serving as carrying means for the casing 5, which casing is secured thereto by bolts 9 or any preferred means. One of the arms 8 carries the relatively fixed switch member 2, while another of said arms supports the relatively movable member 1. Both of these members are preferably in the form of L-shapedstrips of spring'metal connected with the arms 8 by suitable binding posts 10 which are shown insulated from said arms as indicated at 11. The arms 1 and 2 are provided with co-acting platinum points 12 or other suitable contacts and the stem 3 normally thrusts against an insulator 13 carried by the arm 2, so that the aforesaid contacts are forced into en; gaggement with each other as depicted clearly in ig; 2. The moment the oil pressure in the casing 5 recedes below normal, however, the resiliency of the switch arm 1 preferably, assisted by a coiled spring 14 acting on the diaphra 4, causes the switch to open to break 1%: ignition circuit, thereby stopping the motor.

have shown an adjusting screw 15 threaded through the plate 7 for the purpose of adjusting t e switch member 2 toward the member 1 for properly relating the contacts 12 whenever this is necessary As shown, the screw 15 bears against the lower end of an insulating plate 16 which is secured to the aforesaid switch member 2, and in the present showing, the cam 6 acts against said plate for the purpose of springing the member 2 into contact with the arm 1, prior to projeection of the stem 3 by the oil pressure, thereby allowing the motor to be started or permitting running of said motor after it has been automatically stopped. I prefer. to mount the cam 1 6 onth'e end 'ofa shaft or stem 17 which passes rotatably through the supporting plate 7 and through an appropriate escutcheon plate 18. The two plates 7 and 18.

may well contact with opposite sides of the dash of an automobile and I prefer to provide screws or the like 19 for clamping them abuts the screw 15 when the engine is run-1 ning with the several parts of the controlling device-related as shown in Fig. 2, and the proper amount which said key must be turned to manually set the device in enginerunning position, may well be indicated on the plate 18 as shown for instance at 21.

The device may be easily installed in connection with numerous forms of motors, whether battery or magneto ignition be used, and in either case the operation of the instrument will be highly sensitive to a drop in the oil pressure; Whenever such a drop'occurs with the motor running, the ignition circuit is so affected as to bring the motor to a stand still, thereby preventing thepossibility of injury through lack of lubrication. If it is absolutely necessary to continue running the motor' after it has been automatically stopped, the key 20 may be actuated to force the relatively fixed switch member 2 into contact with the member 1, thus permitting the ignition system to again operate. The parts may remain in th1s position until a point is reached at which the oil supply may be replenished, and after refilling the oil reservoir, the key 20 should be again returned to its normal engine-running position, so that the switch may again automatically operate whenever necessary.

With'the motor standing idle, there is in suflicient pressure in the oil line 0 to project the stem 3 and close the switch. It is therefore necessary to operate the key 20 to bring the two switch members -1 and 2 into enga ement, before the engine can be started. he moment such starting has been effected however, the key 20 should be returned to its normal position in order that the switch may automatically interrupt the supply of current to the spark plugs whenever the oil pressure recedes to a dangerous degree.

From the foregoing, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that although my invention is of comparatively simple and inexpensive nature, it will be highly eflicient and in every way desirable and-since probably the best results may be obtained from the details disclosed,

a supportin such details-may well be followed. I wish it understood, however, that within the scope of the invention as claimed, considerable latitude is allowed for making such changesas occasion may dictate. I claim:

1. An engine stoppin a support, relatively device comprising xed and movable switch members mounted on said support and forming an engine controlling switch, a

case mounted on said supportand adapted for communication with a liquid circulating sfistemflof the engine, a stem extending slida ly from the interior of said casing. for moving said movable switch member to engine-running position and holding it normally in such position, and a pressure operated device in. said casing acting on said stem, to normally hold the latter in position to hold said switch in engine-running position.

2. An engine-stopping device comprising plate having arms extending from one side, a relatively fixed switch arm mounted on "one of the aforesaidarms, a movable switch arm mounted on another of said arms for co -action with said relatively fixed switch arm in forming an engine stopping switch, a casing mounted on said arms of the supporting plate and adapted for communication with a liquid circulating system of an engine, a pressure operated device in said casing, and a stem extending from said device to said movable switch arm for holding the latter in engine-running position.

3. An engine stoppin device comprising an engine controlling switch, means for holding said switch in engine-running position, said means being adapted for operation by pressurein a liquid circulating system of the engine, and manually operated means independent ofthe aforesaid holding means, for holding said switch in engine-running position when starting.

4. An engine-stopping device comprising relatively fixed and movable switch members, means for moving said movable switch member into engine-running relation with the relatively fixed member, said means being adapted for operation by pressure in a liquid circulating system of the engine, and manu ally operable means for moving said relatively fixed member into engine-running relation with said movablemember before movement of thelatter by its operating means.

5. An engine-stoppin device comprising a support, relatively xed and movable switch members mounted on said support and forming an engine-stopping switch, means mounted on said support for moving said movable switch member into engine-running relation with said relatively fixed member,

said means being adapted for operation by pressure in a liquid circulating system of the engine, a manually rotatable stem mounted on said support, 'and a cam on said stem for moving said relatively fixed member into engine-running relation with said movable member before movement of the latter by its operating means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM F. WEBB. 

